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Do you like children’s books that make you laugh? Do you enjoy rhyming books for kids? Do you love children’s books that also teach science and life lessons? If you answered yes to these three questions, then you will love:

Rules of the Wild:An Unruly Book ofManners

Written by Bridget Levin and illustrated by Amanda Shepherd

I am excited to share this books with you all for Perfect Picture Book Friday, sponsored by the wonderful and talented Susanna Leonard Hill!

This book was published by Chronicle Books in 2004. It is appropriate for ages 3-7. Themes include animals, manners, and rhyming.

If your mom had a tail or your father a mane, the rules of your house might not be such a pain. Mother Piggy would say, “Eat whatever you like.” Father Fruit Bat would declare, “You can stay up all night.”

Why I like this book: I like this book, because it makes kids laugh. The rhyming is great, and children also learn about animal behaviors vs. human manners. The illustrations are whimsical and fun. There is also a fun table in the very back that illustrates all kinds of animal behaviors.

TGIF! :-)

Today I would like to share a book that I have been reading to my Kindergarten students all week. I think it is a perfect selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday sponsored by Susanna Leonard Hill!

How Groundhog’s Garden Grew

Written and illustrated by Lynne Cherry

Publisher: Blue Sky Press 2003

Audience: Ages 6-12

Themes: gardening, sharing, teaching, science

Opening: Little Groundhog was hungry. “Beautiful! Scrumptious! Irresistible!” he exclaimed as he crept into a neighbor’s lovely vegetable garden. He was nibbling on some fresh green lettuce when Squirrel rushed down from her tree. “Little Groundhog!” Squirrel scolded. “This food does not belong to you. If you take food that belongs to others, you will not have a friend in the world! Why don’t you plant your OWN garden?”

Little Groundhog admits that he does not know how to plant a garden, so Squirrel decides to teach Little Groundhog how to plant a fabulous garden filled with a variety of delicious vegetables. Little Groundhog learns about root crops, perreneals, vegetables that grow on vines, seedlings, and pollination. He is overjoyed as he watches his very own garden burst into life. Squirrel even teaches Little Groundhog how to cook his vegetables, and together they host a feast for all the animals of the forest.

This website includes activities for journaling, learning vocabulary from the story, sequencing events, and writing postcards to Little Groundhog.

Why I like this book: I paired this book with a nonfiction book about gardening for my Kindergarten classes this week. My students are learning about plants and vegetables, and they are planting a vegetable garden in our outdoor learning center.

This book is beautifullly illustrated. Lynne Cherry’s illustrations in How Groundhog’s Garden Grew are similar to those of Jan Brett’s in her many animal books. The book includes miniature pictures of vegetables and insects around the borders of several of the pages, and each two page spread is realistically drawn with attention to every detail.

The themes of this book also appeal to me. Squirrel teaches Little Groundhog to garden, and Little Groundhog learns how to be self-sufficient. He is so proud of himself at the end of the story, and he shares his feast with the other animals from whom he had previously been stealing vegetables. The book sends a great message to readers and it also includes a lot of gardening vocabulary.

Happy Friday! It’s great to be back on the blog. Life and work have kept me busy. I am very excited to have a Spring Break next week!

Today I would like to share a wonderful picture book with all of you. Visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Page to see a full list of perfect picture books contributed by authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, and parents.

Title: Meet Me at the Moon

Written and Illustrated by: Gianna Marino

Published by: Penguin Group 2012

Themes: African savanna, elephants, love, water, mother/child

Audience: Ages 3-7

Opening: Beneath the shade of the baobab tree, Little One sang the calling song, and Mama came with a loving nuzzle. “The land is dry, Little One,” Mama said. “I must climb the highest mountain to ask the skies for rain.”

Synopsis:The dry season has arrived and Mama elephant must leave Little One to ask for rain. Little One does not want her Mama to leave and needs reassurance. When Little One asks Mama how she will know she still loves her, Mama tells her that when she feels the warmth of the sun, she will be loving her baby. When Little One asks how her Mama will find her again, Mama tells her to meet her at the moon when the sky is bright. Mama leaves, and the earth cracks from drought. Finally rain comes, and Little One sits in the grass and sings the calling song to her Mother. She sees Mama Elephant in the distance and they reunite under the bright moonlight.

Resources: This book was recently published, and I was unable to find online activities for it. I think that the book could be paired with non-fiction books about the African savannah and elephants. When I introduce a non-fiction subject in the library, I always pair it with a strong picture book.

Why I like this book: This book tells a heartwarming tale of a mother leaving her child for the first time. Like most young children, Little One needs lots of reassurance that her Mama loves her and will return for her. I don’t have a child of my own, but if I did, I think I would read this story to him/her before leaving for a significant period of time. (Which, for a child, could just be an afternoon) I can imagine it being a book that we would return to again and again.

I’m writing this post on Thursday afternoon-tonight we will finally have our Night of Mystery! The kids wore their glow in the dark shirts to school today, and they are so excited about literacy night. I wrote a story for the principal to read at the end of the evening with a surprise ending. I really hope the students enjoy it! :-)

My Perfect Picture Book Selection this week is Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11, written and illustrated by Brian Floca. It was published by Atheneum Books in 2009. This book is suitable for any age, but the reading and interest level is around third grade.

“High above there is the Moon, cold and quiet, no air, no life, but glowing in the sky. Here below there are three men who close themselves in special clothes, who-click-lock hands in heavy gloves, who-click-lock heads in large round helmets. It is summer here in Florida, hot, and near the sea. But now these men are dressed for colder, stranger places. They walk with stiff and awkward steps in suits not made for Earth. They have studies and practiced and trained, and said good-bye to family and froends. If all goes well, they will be gone for one week, gone where no one has been.”

Why I like this book: Moonshot is beautifully illustrated and well-written. It is non-fiction, but it read much like a story. Michael Collins, Command Module Pilit for Apollo 11 said, “Reading Moonshot gave me the feeling I was back in space.” What an amazing compliment to the author/illustrator! Moonshot is also a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book. This award is given each year to distinguished informational books in the United States. My favorite page in the books is a two page spread of the rocket lifting off. “The rocket is released! It rises foot by foot, it rises pound by pound.” I really like the way Floca uses onomatopeia to create imagery in the story for young readers. His recreation of the events leading up to the launch and after are very real to life. The reader feels the excitement that the people sitting in front of their televisions felt that July day in 1969 when they listened to the sounds from outer space for the first time. At the end, there is a detailed expository piece about the history behind Apollo 11. This is one of the most excellent books about Apollo 11 for children that I have read.

“Do YOU have a hat? Something fuzzy, warm, and red, to keep the snowflakes off your head? Or maybe floppy-brimmed and blue, when summer sun shines down on you? Do YOU have a hat?” Next the author and illustrator introduce all sorts of famous people in history who wore memorable hats-some more famous than others. Did you know that Francisco de Goya wore a hat with candles on the brim? (Do you know who Francisco de Goya is? I readily admit I did not. I had to Google him!)

Link: Wild Geese Guides This site provides a great lesson plan to accompany the story + curricular links!

Why I like this book: I like this book for several reasons. First of all, I like hats. Secondly, Eileen Spinelli is one of THE most amazing authors for young children. I love the rhythm and rhyme in the story and the bright whimsical illustrations. Children are introduced to great historical figures like Carmen Miranda and Walt Whitman within a comprehensible context. My favorite line is, “Isabelle of Bavaria had a hat, a cone-shaped hat so very high it poked a gargoyle in the eye.” This book is hysterical and educational!

Joanna gave me the Liebster Blog Award, and Beth gave me the Kreativ Blogger Award! I feel quite honored to have been recognized by these two ladies whom I admire a great deal. I learn something new each time I read their posts. Their writing is thoughtful and authentic. I feel we are becoming great friends even though we live thousands of miles apart! I am blessed to have met Beth and Joanna and all of the lovely people who are part of PiBoIdMo, Perfect Picture Book Friday, and 12×12.

I’m not sure how this works…I think I am supposed to list five things about myself for the Liebster Award and ten for the Kreativ Blogger Award… Hmmmm…I’ll be good to come up with ten!

1. I was adopted at birth, and I couldn’t have asked for better parents. I am blessed.

2. I am left-handed. I am always surprised when people say, “Oh, you’re left-handed!” like it is something unusual…

3. I danced on a drill team in high school. I could practically kick my nose! (Wish I was still that flexible)

4. When I was a little girl I could not pronounce the letter “F.” On my fourth birthday my uncle asked me how old I was and I replied, “Well, I can’t say door, so I guess I’ll have to be dive!” (Heard that one for many, many years!! :-) )

5. I met my husband at my best friend’s wedding!

6. I can Texas two-step and jitterbug like mad :-)

7. My favorite musical is Camelot. When I was little we listened to that 8-track over and over again in the car. My mother took me to see the live performance in Houston several years ago and it took my breath away.

8. My favorite place on Earth is Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle. When I am there I feel at peace.

9. I can snowboard but not snow ski.

10. I once entered a mosh pit at a Metallica concert. I don’t recommend it.

So there you have it folks! A few things that make me unique!

I would like to recognize the following ladies who have faithfully followed my blog since its inception. I always look forward to and appreciate their thoughtful comments! I hereby bestow on you both the Liebster and the Kreativ Blogger Awards! How’s that for breaking all the rules?!!

“Kittens in the window-one cat, two, jumping down for… CAT SKIDOO! Pit-pat, pit-pat, across the floor. Mew! Mew! Out the door!” These kitty cats are into everything! They tumble and they run, they scurry and they scritch-scratch up the elm tree. They pounce, bounce and jump. Uh-oh, here comes the dog!

Why I like this book: Well, the obvious reason is that I LOVE cats, too! I have never been without a cat. My mother tells me that when I was just a year old or so I tried sitting on our cat Puff, because she looked like a comfy pillow. Puff, of course, did not comply! I love the quirkiness of cats and their ability to crawl, climb, or scoot their way into all kinds of spaces. The cats in Cat Skidoo remind me of my cat Dakota who still acts like a kitten even though he is about nine years old. The rhyming lines in the book flow with ease and repetition makes the book great for emerging readers. The book is also full of great sound words.